What is this?

[Legendmir]

In the test tube where my carpenter ants are hibernating i found this stuff. im not sure where it has come from or what it is.

In my ant set up there is white sand, some seeds and some dry wood branches i got from the pet store. there is only a feeder and water tower other then those. so im not sure what this stuff is.

[antnest8]

What is the ant species you keep because it looks like a beautiful camponotus cotton braiding job.

[Legendmir]

they where sold as Camponotus herculeanus. i dont know how to identify and make sure they are but they are impressive in size.

[antnest8]

Camponotus has been know to tug at the cotton and "Braid" it by tugging it into strings that in time make that mess, I think why they do this is because they can use the cotton as a start for cocoons for the pupae.

[Legendmir]

thats good to know haha